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Black Hills State University Underground Campus
Brianna J Mount1, Keenan J Thomas2, Kelsey C Oliver-Mallory3
1School of Natural Sciences, Black Hills State University, Spearfish, SD 57799, USA.
Summary
The Black Hills State University Underground Campus (BHUC) offers a low background counting facility with four germanium detectors, expanding to twelve. This facility supports sensitive physics research in a controlled underground environment.
Area of Science:
- Physics
- Nuclear Science
- Underground Science
Background:
- The Black Hills State University Underground Campus (BHUC) is established at the Sanford Underground Research Facility.
- It is situated on the 4850' level, providing a naturally shielded environment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish and detail the capabilities of a new low background counting facility.
- To support sensitive physics experiments requiring minimal background radiation.
Main Methods:
- Installation of ultra-low background, high-purity germanium detectors.
- Utilizing a Class 1000 cleanroom for detector operations.
- Implementing an automated liquid nitrogen fill system for detector maintenance.
Main Results:
- Currently houses four operational germanium detectors.
- Designed to accommodate up to twelve detectors.
- Provides essential utilities and support for sensitive instrumentation.
Conclusions:
- The BHUC is a developing low background counting facility with significant potential for physics research.
- The infrastructure is designed to support advanced, low-background measurements.